All Chapters of THE HOCKEY ALPHA WANTS ME: Chapter 1 - Chapter 4

Chapter 1MaxMy hands were shaking again. I wiped them on my shorts, but the sweat came right back. Eight seconds left on the clock. Eight seconds between me and everything I'd ever wanted."Max." Coach Dan grabbed my jersey, pulling me close during the timeout, his dark eyes boring into mine. "This is it, son. Everything we’ve bled for comes down to this play. You got this, this is your shot."I nodded because my throat was too tight to talk. The arena was so loud I could barely think—fifteen thousand people screaming, the band playing, air horns blasting. But all I could focus on was that scoreboard: Cardinals 78, Wolves 76.And my teammates’ faces that were a mix of hope and desperation, their trust in me a heavy mantle across my shoulders. The whistle blew, and we jogged back onto the court. My legs felt weird, like they might give out, but not from being tired. It was from nerves, from knowing this was my last college game ever.My last chance to leave a mark before the world

Chapter 3MaxThe ride back to my house was like I was floating in a wide sea. I knew I was too drunk to be on my bike, but the alcohol made everything seem like a brilliant idea. Each turn felt like I was fighting to stay upright, and by the time I pulled into our driveway, my hands were shaking from more than just the cold night air.I killed the engine and sat there for a moment, trying to get my bearings. The house was completely dark except for the porch light Mom always left on for me. Good. Everyone was asleep.I stumbled off the bike and nearly kissing the garage door. Real smooth, Rivera. I fumbled with my keys, dropping them twice before finally getting the right one into the lock.The house was dead silent as I crept through the back door, avoiding the creaky floorboard by the kitchen island that would wake up Dad faster than a fire alarm. I held my breath as I tiptoed past my parents' bedroom, then Sofia's room, finally making it to my door at the end of the hall.I tu